Mental Health Sunday Devotional - Day 5

WHICH NEIGHBOR ARE YOU?

SCRIPTURE READING: LUKE 10:25-37

Can you sense the Holy Spirit wanting to get up-close-and-personal with you in today's Scripture reading? It's difficult to read this passage of the Good Samaritan and not feel some sort of conviction.

And if we're being honest, we often fall short of acting in obedience as the "neighbor" Jesus calls us to be, don't we? So, while it feels better to cheer for the Good Samaritan from 2,000 years ago and move along with our day, let's take a moment and let the Holy Spirit convict us today. Let's tune our ears to what the LORD wants to speak to us in this passage.

As we've journeyed through this week in our study of God's Word, we've been reminded that God, as a great Designer, created us in His image. And the depth of the emotions we feel are not abnormal-nor are they sinful. We're not alone, even in the intricacies of our mental health struggles, and God has designed His Church to be used as a practical tool in supporting healing and health.

So, as you reread this parable of the Good Samaritan, and as you consider your role in God's Church, which neighbor are you?

It's interesting to think the priest and the Levite, passing by on the other side, were probably not blatantly ignoring God. As religious leaders, they would have been considered unclean if they touched a body that was dead. So, as the situation presented itself, their rerouting to a different side of the road would not have been seen as heartless in Bible times. It would have made sense.

Similarly, how often do we justify "passing by on the other side" when needs arise in our communities? When mental health issues are outside of our understanding or comfort zones, we can easily dismiss the need to act, to welcome, to support, or to walk alongside those who are broken and mentally beaten down, like the man on the side of the road.

The danger in reading this parable is to assume you're fine as long as you're not blatantly ignoring God. It's time to adopt a Good Samaritan model when it comes to mental health struggles in our communities.

Do you notice how the Good Samaritan doesn't have all the necessary resources and answers to completely heal the man? What did he do?

-HE WENT TO THE MAN.

He was willing to enter the unknown and the mess of what this man was dealing with. As a Samaritan, we know culturally it was not normal to interact with a Jew. This man sacrificed his reputation and the cultural norms to help a stranger who was considered an enemy.

-HE BOUND HIS WOUNDS.

It may have been easier to drop off some money and be on his way. It may have been more convenient to say he'd find someone suitable to help first. But, the Samaritan took action with what he had to care for this man.

-HE ESCORTED HIM TO THE INN.

Knowing there was more assistance needed, the Samaritan didn't try to do it all himself. Sometimes, problems are bigger than we can personally solve-especially when it comes to mental health. How might we escort others to places of healing and help?

-HE FINANCIALLY SUPPORTED THE MAN'S FULL RECOVERY.

Do you notice the level of selfless generosity in this part of the parable? The Samaritan pays for the man's stay at the inn, and also essentially says "put it on my tab" for any and all recovery this man needs. What would it look like for the Church to be this generous?

How might God be calling you to use your resources for this kind of financial support in your community?

There is much to be learned and received in this parable. Be encouraged that God wants to use you in His Church. You have a role to play. You can be the Good Samaritan neighbor too. As we soak in the actions of this Good Samaritan, may God's final words in this story echo in our hearts to "Go and do likewise."